The so-called " cobra swords"

ariel · 24th November 2019, 04:43 PM

BTW, I could never fully understand why Aydha Katti carries “ Arab influence”. That is repeatedly mentioned in various sources ( Elgood included) but no specific feature is convincingly mentioned.
Deccani Sailaba is in fact a Sousson Patta. And ( I climb on a very thin phonetic limb) the real Afghani name for Khyber knife is “ selavah”. Are we talking about an imperfect homonym or was there a real connection between these two short, single edged chopping weapons? Did the Afghanis adopt it but simplified its construction? After all they have acquired all of their bladed weapons ( and their names, to boot) either from India or from Persia and the sophistication of their bladesmithing was grossly inferior to both. They were utilitarians, not inventors and not decorators.

kronckew · 24th November 2019, 08:18 PM

Transliteration between languages is odd at times, I have a 'Salawar Yataghan' (well, it is indeed slightly recurved) which was so named for me a few years back by one of our prestigious forum members as the more correct name for the item sometimes also called a 'Khyber knife' by us ferengi who do not know better.

ariel · 29th November 2019, 09:18 AM

The very first sword in the series shown by me, has a very " Hindu" pommel: unopened lotus flower. The next one has a peculiar handle: downturned quillons ( Persian/Afghani style) with the same Hindu lotus pommel.

This is perhaps the strongest hint of a transition from Hindu to Afghani style.

Jim McDougall · 29th November 2019, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

The very first sword in the series shown by me, has a very " Hindu" pommel: unopened lotus flower. The next one has a peculiar handle: downturned quillons ( Persian/Afghani style) with the same Hindu lotus pommel.

This is perhaps the strongest hint of a transition from Hindu to Afghani style.

Well noted Ariel, this does well illustrate a kind of syncretic transition from south to north reflected in the combining of these elements. The koftgari designs in the hilt are mindful of Persian/Mughal shikargah themes while the lotus character does seem Hindu oriented as you point out.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th December 2019, 02:41 PM

I quote from https://www.pinterest.jp/worldantiqu...a-sword/Pahari sword (cobra sword), this type of sword is generally referred to as Indo-Afghan, describing the mixed Indian and Afghan elements, characterized by the Afghan style handle and Indian straight, double edged, fullered blade bulged at the ricasso, with armor-piercing tip and expanded forte, symmetrical grip". Unquote. ~ and a few pictures on that website to compare below.

24th November 2019, 08:18 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Transliteration between languages is odd at times, I have a 'Salawar Yataghan' (well, it is indeed slightly recurved) which was so named for me a few years back by one of our prestigious forum members as the more correct name for the item sometimes also called a 'Khyber knife' by us ferengi who do not know better. Attached Images

10th December 2019, 02:41 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I quote from https://www.pinterest.jp/worldantiqu...a-sword/Pahari sword (cobra sword), this type of sword is generally referred to as Indo-Afghan, describing the mixed Indian and Afghan elements, characterized by the Afghan style handle and Indian straight, double edged, fullered blade bulged at the ricasso, with armor-piercing tip and expanded forte, symmetrical grip". Unquote. ~ and a few pictures on that website to compare below. Attached Images

24th November 2019, 04:43 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	BTW, I could never fully understand why Aydha Katti carries “ Arab influence”. That is repeatedly mentioned in various sources ( Elgood included) but no specific feature is convincingly mentioned. Deccani Sailaba is in fact a Sousson Patta. And ( I climb on a very thin phonetic limb) the real Afghani name for Khyber knife is “ selavah”. Are we talking about an imperfect homonym or was there a real connection between these two short, single edged chopping weapons? Did the Afghanis adopt it but simplified its construction? After all they have acquired all of their bladed weapons ( and their names, to boot) either from India or from Persia and the sophistication of their bladesmithing was grossly inferior to both. They were utilitarians, not inventors and not decorators.

29th November 2019, 09:18 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The very first sword in the series shown by me, has a very " Hindu" pommel: unopened lotus flower. The next one has a peculiar handle: downturned quillons ( Persian/Afghani style) with the same Hindu lotus pommel. This is perhaps the strongest hint of a transition from Hindu to Afghani style.